28 Apr 2016 Which Teeth Whitening Treatments For You?
Many people would love to have whiter teeth, and there are safe and effective ways to make that happen. Teeth whitening can be done in the dentist’s office or it can be done at home through over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments.
How To Whiten Teeth:
Toothpaste
Nowadays, toothpastes have tooth whiteners that take the stains of coffee, tea and other substances from the teeth. They do this through abrasives or chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide. However, this sort of teeth whitening is mild, and the user will only see their teeth whiten by about a shade.
Over the Counter Teeth Whitening Treatments
Some treatments are strips or gels that are placed on the teeth. If the whitener is a gel, it is applied with a brush and allowed to stay on the teeth for a period of time. To avoid damage to the teeth or gums, it’s important for the user to follow the instructions.
Following instructions is also important if the user applies whitening strips. These strips are painted with a gel impregnated with hydrogen peroxide. They are applied twice daily for about a half an hour. Both strips and gels allow the user to see whitening in a few days, and the effects last for about four months.
Some mouthwashes have ingredients that whiten the teeth. The problem with these tooth whitening mouthwashes is that their contact with the teeth is so brief that the user would need to use them fairly frequently or keep them in the mouth for an uncomfortably long time to see noticeable results.
Other Systems
One of the teeth whitening treatments involves trays. These trays can be bought over-the-counter or prescribed by the dentist. The tray looks and fits like a mouth guard and is worn for a few hours or overnight, depending on the needs of the user and the instructions of their dentist.
The advantage of a tray prescribed by the dentist is that it is custom made to fit the patient’s teeth exactly. Because of this, the contact of the bleaching agent with the patient’s gums is minimized.
Whitening By Dentist
Whitening the teeth in the dentist’s office is the fastest, safest and most effective way, as dentists understand how to whiten teeth without causing injury. The dentist also considers the patient’s overall health and the health of their teeth and gums. Not everyone is a candidate for teeth whitening.
During the treatment, the dentist applies bleach to the teeth and cures it with light, heat, lasers or a combination of all three. It takes a few 30 to 60 minute sessions for most patients’ teeth to achieve the degree of whiteness that they seek. This type of treatment is the most expensive, but many patients believe it is well worth it.
Call Us At Holladay Family Dental For Tooth Whitening
Residents of Holladay, Utah and environs who are interested in whitening the teeth or information about whitening shouldn’t hesitate to get in touch with our dentists at xxx-xxx-xxxx.